Recent content by crescent-zephyr

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  1. crescent-zephyr

    Brightline Trains Florida discussion 2024 Q1

    And in Amtrak's case, I regularly hear announcements when all doors will not open, both on the PA, and also when the Conductors walk through before each station and they check seat tags.
  2. crescent-zephyr

    Viewing a country across a border during a train ride

    There are extended excursions that go to Bennett BC that allow passengers to get off in Canada. I'm hoping my next visit to Alaska lines up with the schedule so I can ride it - I've only been on the Summit trips so far.
  3. crescent-zephyr

    Brightline Trains Florida discussion 2024 Q1

    There are definitely customer service issues at Brightline. Because of the modern and classy setup, they get by with more but when things go wrong Brightline doesn't seem to know how to deal with it. Case in point... at one station stop there was no announcement that not all doors would open...
  4. crescent-zephyr

    Brightline Trains Florida discussion 2024 Q1

    Maybe, but when I first complained my response was that there was only 1 wrapped train (at the time) and they would take my comment into consideration. That was only like a year ago. It was only very recently that so many trains were wrapped. Also... even if it annoys you it will annoy you...
  5. crescent-zephyr

    Amtrak Dining and Cafe service discussion 2024 Q1

    I can't speak for Acela, but Domestic First offers much better food than Amtrak Flex in my opinion.
  6. crescent-zephyr

    Amtrak Dining and Cafe service discussion 2024 Q1

    Not if you're in coach... I rode in coach this past summer and I can tell you that Amtrak Long Distance Cafe menu beats the VIA menu for sure. The quality on Amtrak has gone up and down, but I've enjoyed meals just as good on Amtrak as on VIA. Glad to hear the Crescent is getting a Viewliner...
  7. crescent-zephyr

    Canadian Trip Off Season: Fall or Spring

    I've taken it Eastbound and Westbound - in my experience Eastbound was much better for scenery. Some of that is luck (the westbound trip I took was very unlucky timing-wise) but the odds are better Eastbound I think.
  8. crescent-zephyr

    VIA Rail Long Distance (LD) and Inter-Regional fleet replacement

    My thinking was the Prestige cars would be rooms on the lower level and a deluxe lounge/viewing area on the upper level. Of course, maybe the bi-levels would only be dining / lounge cars and they just make brand new single level cars for sleepers.
  9. crescent-zephyr

    Northeast Regional discussion

    That makes a little more sense. It would be nice if they would at least flip the seats in Business Class (First Class Acela).
  10. crescent-zephyr

    VIA Rail Long Distance (LD) and Inter-Regional fleet replacement

    Sure, Coaches can be standard coaches like Venture with LD seats. I'm saying the back of the train has to be something special like the Bi-levels if there aren't clearance issues. (Those cars have travelled several rail sections of western Canada - not sure if there are issues in the east or...
  11. crescent-zephyr

    Brightline Trains Florida discussion 2024 Q1

    I wasn't referring to the shades being open or closed, I meant no wraps on the window. Actually, do any Amtrak / FRA mainline trains have shades or are they all curtains? I wonder if that has anything to do with emergencies since a curtain can't get stuck like a shade can, never thought about that.
  12. crescent-zephyr

    Amtrak Dining and Cafe service discussion 2024 Q1

    I'm fine with paper napkins instead of cloth for Breakfast and Lunch, but plastic is pretty cheap. Is that just the crew not wanting to bother with collecting the silver ware?
  13. crescent-zephyr

    VIA Rail Long Distance (LD) and Inter-Regional fleet replacement

    I don't think every car has to be a bi-level, I'm just saying they can't just replace the existing fleet with venture cars and have the appeal. If the bi-levels can be used on the entire route, I could see them becoming the Prestige Class, with one being a lounge / cafe for coach passengers and...
  14. crescent-zephyr

    Preferential treatment for California Zephyr w/American View (10004)?

    While it's possible your train is getting VIP treatment - this is not unusual. I've been on plenty of Amtrak trains where this is the case.
  15. crescent-zephyr

    VIA Rail Long Distance (LD) and Inter-Regional fleet replacement

    Well they function as day coaches, full-service dining cars, and lounges with viewing area. Of course, that's how they are physically used on the RM and Alaska RR, they could be set up with alternate interiors as needed.
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